Holy Cross Will Cover Tuition Cost for Families Earning Under $100,000

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Holy Cross provided $76.5 million in financial aid during the 2023-2024 academic year, with 65% of students receiving need-based grants.

Commitment aims to remove economic barriers to entry.

On Oct. 9, 2024, Holy Cross announced  that students whose families have a total income of $100,000 or less and reasonable assets will receive a full tuition grant, reinforcing the College’s commitment to opportunity for all talented students, regardless of their economic resources.

This is a significant expansion of Holy Cross' current financial aid program, which was codified by the College beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year, and stated that families with a total income of $75,000 or less and reasonable assets were eligible for the full tuition coverage. 

Holy Cross provided $76.5 million in financial aid during the 2023-2024 academic year, with 65% of students receiving need-based grants. This financial aid expansion will result in more need-based financial aid, particularly for those students whose families are finding it increasingly difficult to pay the rising costs of a college education.

“One of Holy Cross’s top priorities is to ensure that talented students from all backgrounds can access a Holy Cross education and be supported to flourish on our campus and beyond,” said Holy Cross President Vincent D. Rougeau. “We are proud to deepen our commitment to expanding educational opportunities for more young people.”  

Holy Cross has been a leader in reducing barriers to college entry for students. In 2005, the College was one of the first five colleges nationally to make standardized test scores an optional part of the admission process. Additionally, Holy Cross is one of only a few dozen colleges nationally that meet 100% of each admitted student's demonstrated financial need.

Media Coverage:

The Boston Globe, Oct. 9: Holy Cross says it will cover tuition for families making less than $100,000

Boston.com, Oct. 9: Holy Cross in Worcester will cover tuition for families that make less than $100K

WCVB-TV, Oct. 9: Holy Cross to cover tuition for families earning less than $100,000

WFXT-TV, Oct. 9: Holy Cross in Worcester offers free college tuition to students with family income under $100K

University Herald, Oct. 9: Massachusetts College Pledges Free Tuition For Families Making Less than $100K

MassLive.com, Oct. 9: This Mass. college is covering the cost of tuition for families earning under $100k

New England Cable News (NECN), Oct. 9: News 4 PM (link not available)

POLITICO, Oct. 10: How ranked-choice voting could change campaigns

WBTS-TV, Oct. 10: Boston News Daily (link not available)

WTAG-AM, Oct. 10: News Segment (link not available)

Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Oct. 10: Holy Cross announces free tuition to families making under $100,000

Worcester Business Journal, Oct. 10: Holy Cross expands full-tuition grants to students whose families earn $100K or less

WBZ-AM, Oct. 10: News Segment (link not available)

Patch.com, Oct. 10: Holy Cross To Cover Tuition Cost For Families Earning Under $100K

Insight Into Diversity, Oct. 14: Holy Cross Expands Tuition-Free Program for Low-Income Families

CatholicVote.org, Oct. 14: Catholic college offers full tuition grants for families earning under $100,000